POLLUTERS of the environment will have to pay more into the state's coffers which in turn will feed the budget for environment protection, Environment Minister Jaroslav Izák said.
The Slovak Environment Ministry will pursue the "polluter pays" principle in legislation and find more funds to finance the sector.
"The level of responsibility of the polluters must increase. I believe we'll be able to prepare changes in legislation in a short period of time," said Izák.
An act to address environmental responsibility is already being prepared that assumes increased state financing for the sector.
In a preliminary proposal for the 2007 state budget, some Sk2 billion (€52.6 million) has been allocated for sector expenditures, but this amount is still Sk2.5 billion less than what is required.
Among the new minister's priorities are finding solutions to "old environmental burdens" such as waste dumps and water contamination, news wire TASR wrote. The ministry wants to concentrate more resources on recycling, securing good-quality drinking water, improving the public sewage systems and sewage-water treatment plants.
Flood protection, which, according to Izák, was inadequately funded in the past, should also be strengthened.
- Martina Jurinová
